Before You Pop That 'Magic Blue Pill', Here's Everything You Oughta Know (As Per A Doctor)

When it comes to taking Viagra or any medication that causes an erection — there are a couple schools of thought. For starters, you may actually be suffering from erectile dysfunction and medication is necessary for proper stimulation. On the flip-side of that, you may have a perfectly functioning Johnson, you're just curious about what a little enhancement would look like. In either event, it's super important to understand exactly what you're ingesting before making a decision. Just like physical health, sexual health is vast and complicated — you aren't the expert, but we know folks who are so sit back, and let's bang this thing out, shall we?

The Daily Star spoke with Dr. Seth Rankin, founder of London Doctors Clinic, to discuss the ins and outs of Viagra usage among men. Remember, it's important to direct all of your health questions to an ACTUAL doctor — whether it be online or otherwise.

Is Viagra Safe?

"On the scale of many medications that people take it is very safe. So long as you are not taking nitrates (for angina or recreation) there is very little chance of any problems. It has been taken by many millions of men (and a fair few curious women) and no significant health risks have emerged as yet. Keep in mind though that the rest of your health may not be up to the vigorous exercise that sildenafil (viagra) suddenly enables you to embark upon. For example, if you have heart disease the unaccustomed activity may be the last straw."

Hear that, Gentlemen? It seems to me that unless you absolutely need to be taking Viagra, it's not exactly a substance that you should be experimenting with for the sake of lasting longer in the sack. In fact, when it comes to that particular bedroom issues — it's really more mind over matter. There are plenty of tactics to help you keep on keepin' on.

What Happens To Your Body If You Take Too Much Viagra?

"Assuming you’re healthy enough to take a recommended dose, overdosing on Viagra isn’t pretty. Everything that may go wrong is much more likely to go wrong if you take too much. If you take too much Viagra you may get priapism which is a persistent and painful erection that often lasts for hours on end. Priapism is a medical emergency, meaning you should rush to the hospital if it happens, because if it isn’t treated within 24 hours you may damage your schlong for life. A prolonged erection can permanently damage the penile tissues making it difficult to get hard in the future. But since Viagra can lower your blood pressure it can lead to heart problems, like an irregular heartbeat and worse yet a heart attack."